We have made it back to sunny, hot, and humid Cofradía! It was a definite warm welcome (pun inteded, LOL).
So many things have happened since we left Washington on September 4. We made our way down through California stuffed in our rental car to visit family and friends. We spoke at Templo Calvario in Bakersfield which is always a blessing to see the brothers and sisters there. They are truly a blessing to our family!
We continued on to visit one of our long time friends Francisco Jimenez and his wife, Teresa, in Camarillo. I met Francisco on one of my first trips to Mexico as a youth when he interpreted for our short-term missions team. He was also the interpreter at our wedding!
From there we headed to Geña's sister's house in Perris, California, where we stayed the next few days. Rebecka and Emma joined us there to be at their cousin's wedding on Saturday. It was nice to see them one last time before flying out as well as getting to see some more family.
At the last minute, Geña's sister's pastor called me up and asked if I'd like to speak at church. I gladly accepted and started to put some things together.
The next day we flew in to Puerto Vallarta where Pastor Jimmy, one of our Cofradia United Pastors was waiting for us. It was Mexico's Independence Day so they were having a party at church that night. Minutes before we left the house for the party, he asked if I'd like to speak. I gladly accepted and arranged a quick "Independence Day" message for the occasion. We spent the next day visiting with them.
We arrived in Cofradia on September 17 to a heavy humidity that at times was almost unbearable...especially after being in the states for three months. It rained that first afternoon which was nice because it lowered the humidity and we were able to fill our water cistern which had gone dry.
We got here in time for EL RETO Week #4 which traditionally is the RETO AUCTION. During the auction, teams bid on an unknown item in a tote box with points they've accumulated throughout the event. So fun! At the end, for the first time in a long time, there was a bidding war where they were going back and forth very fast. I little challenging for this auctioneer! The energy was so strong and exciting. The auction doesn't have much spiritual application to it (however, if I meditated on it long enough I know I could find one!), but the kids love it and they get prizes...or sometimes negative results.
That night, Pastor Amado asked if I'd speak the next evening at his church. I gladly accepted and we had a great time of fellowship with them afterwards. Pastor Goyo almost got me to speak Sunday morning, but I wanted to have a little more time than a couple minutes to prepare for Cofradía. I love speaking in Cofradía.
We have settled in now and Mackenzie is all set up for her online Jr. High classes through Western Christian Academy. (I HIGHLY recommend this school if you're looking for a home-school-type alternative for your children!! Contact us if you'd like to know more information.)
It was a blessing to see everyone we were able to see. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers, we REALLY appreciate it. If you would like to donate specifically to our family, here is a link that explains how to do that. Thanks again!!
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